In regards specifically to roof fall protection the 1910 standard specifies for low slope roofs that when work is performed less than 6 feet 1 6 m from the roof edge the employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling by a guardrail system safety net system travel restraint system or personal fall arrest system.
Traveler roof work fall protection.
Fall protection requirements falls are the leading cause of work related injuries and deaths among roofers.
Working six feet or more above lower levels put roofers at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall.
However under the new rule if the distance is less than 6 feet from the roof edge conventional fall protection systems are required.
Working at heights is any work where a person could fall a distance and be injured.
In april 1990 osha republished the proposed part 1910 rulemaking reissued in may 2003 that defines acceptable general industry fall protection to include personal fall arrest systems pfas work positioning systems travel restricting systems fall restraint fixed ladder climbing systems hole covers safety nets and a new proposed designated area category.
This event might include for example falling from a step ladder off of a roof or through an unguarded hole in the ground or floor.
A lack of fall protection damaged fall protection equipment or improper setup will increase their risk of falling from height.
Roof work changes previously osha stated no safe distance when it came to working on an unprotected roof edge.
This includes guardrail systems personal fall arrest systems and safety nets.